The remarks come at a time when ties between the two countries are at their lowest point.

On 19 September, Prime Minister Trudeau said Canada was investigating credible allegations that India had murdered a Sikh separatist leader.

The claim was dismissed as “absurd” by Delhi.

In June, Hardeep Singh Nijjar was murdered outside a temple in Canada.

“Constructive and serious engagement” with India is extremely important, the Canadian PM said on Thursday.

We’re very serious about building closer ties with India, as we presented our Indo-Pacific strategy just last year,” he told the National Post.

During the G20 summit in Delhi on 9 September, Mr Trudeau skipped an official dinner of the leaders, highlighting tensions between the two countries.

Experts described their body language as “frosty” during his brief meeting with Indian PM Narendra Modi.

Mr Trudeau informed the Canadian parliament a few days later that they were investigating credible allegations of Indian agents involved in Nijjar’s death.

Since then, each country has expelled a diplomat from the other. India also suspended visa services for Canadians last week, citing security concerns at its diplomatic missions.

Mr Trudeau spoke Thursday about the importance of relations with India, but added that the murder investigation would continue.

The Indian government, as a rule of law country, must work with Canada to ensure that the full facts of this matter are known, he added.